Handcar

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A handcar
A handcar
A handcar ride
A handcar ride

A handcar (UK: pump trolley) is a maintenance of way railroad car powered by its passengers, or by people pushing the car from behind. A typical design consists of an arm that pivots, seesaw-like, on a base, which the passengers alternately push down and pull up to move the car.

Handcars have been normally used by railroad service personnel for railroad inspection and maintenance. Due to their low weight they can be put on and off the rails at any place. Handcars have since been replaced by self propelled vehicles that do not require the use of manual power, instead relying on diesel or electricity to move the vehicle.

Handcars are nowadays used by handcar enthusiasts to organize races between handcars driven by five person teams (one to push the car from a halt, four to pump the lever).

A magic lantern image from circa 1895, shows four natives from British India pushing a hand-car in Bolan Pass, Pakistan.
A magic lantern image from circa 1895, shows four natives from British India pushing a hand-car in Bolan Pass, Pakistan.

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In Cambodia and other developing countries, local citizens sometimes make their own unofficial carts to transport goods along the railway tracks.

Handcars are a recurring plot device of twentieth century filmic comedy. For example, the opening scene of Blazing Saddles, depicting railroad construction, features a handcar.

Rail-cycle with 4 wheels. A single bycycle may also be modified with an outrigger and locating wheels to operate upon rails
Rail-cycle with 4 wheels. A single bycycle may also be modified with an outrigger and locating wheels to operate upon rails

This rail-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
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